Connect with consumers and control the narrative with these helpful Agvocate resources.

Along with feeding and clothing the world, today’s farmers and ranchers are tasked with educating consumers, dispelling myths, and serving as advocates for the agriculture industry. This may sound like a tall order – but thanks to modern technology, it’s easier than ever for producers to engage with a broad, receptive audience and agvocate for agriculture.

Use Social Media, Blogs to Spread Ag Awareness

According to TechCrunch, a San Francisco, California-based blog reporting breaking technology news and analyses, Facebook had 2 billion monthly users as of June 2017, making it the largest social media app in terms of logged-in users. In June 2017, TechCrunch also reported YouTube had 1.5 billion logged-in users, while Instagram had 700 million and Twitter had 328 million.

What does this mean for agriculture? In short, it means there’s a huge audience ready and willing to consume information, making social media the perfect place to promote the industry. Plus, social media is free to use and available to anyone with internet access.

If you own a farm or ranch, consider creating a Facebook page for your operation and sharing text, photos, and videos of your day-to-day life – how you care for your livestock, for example, or what happens during harvest time. This establishes an important connection with your audience, and it gives them a peek into what agriculture is all about.

Blogs are another great way to connect with the public, and free, user-friendly templates are available through sites and platforms such as WordPress and Blogger. Promoting your blog is easy – again, thanks to social media – and you have the potential to create a loyal readership who trusts and supports you.

Follow AgAmerica on social media to keep up with our team, learn more about our company, and help us celebrate the American farmer through videos and stories focusing on the importance of agriculture now and for the future.

Grow the Next Generation of Leaders in Agriculture

Connecting with agriculture’s emerging leaders is another simple and effective way to agvocate and help young people cultivate a lifelong appreciation for agriculture.

For example, consider volunteering with your local FFA chapter or 4-H club, or invite a school group to tour your operation. Chances are, some students have never set foot on a farm or seen livestock in person, which will likely leave a lasting impression and possibly lead to an interest in a career in agriculture.

In addition, you can become a member of your local FFA alumni chapter, which does not require prior FFA membership and is an excellent way to directly impact youth.